World Cup Qualification Playoffs - March 2026

**rebelmusic** · 15/03/2026, 12:24 AM

There's Mcateer as well who's regularly getting 20 mins off the bench for Ipswich. Hardly going set the world alight but still.

Taylor as well playing regularly.

Brown is getting a lot of game time and Knight is in form.

Lawal was playing excellent before the injury and I'd have a lot of confidence in him if he's fit

I think he should call up Mcgoldrick at this stage and at least then we have two strikers who are in the best form of their lives

Defense is also solid with the usual question mark around the left back slot. Scales has filled in there a lot this season so I'd say it's his to lose.

All our CBS are doing well and with teams who are challenging for Europe / promotion.

So yeah. It sucks about Cullen and Ferguson but we didn't need Evan to beat Hungary and Portugal.

Knight or Lawal aren't too much of a drop down from Cullen (I'd argue Lawal is better overall, just still a bit raw)

Trying to stay positive!

**pineapple stu** · 15/03/2026, 8:07 AM

Scales is suspended don't forget!

**tetsujin1979** · 15/03/2026, 11:38 AM

Good read on rte's website today about the last time the national side won in Prague*

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2026...win-in-prague/

**SkStu** · 16/03/2026, 12:51 AM

That’s a great article!

**tetsujin1979** · 17/03/2026, 3:01 PM

Czech squad announced

**pineapple stu** · 17/03/2026, 3:21 PM

15 domestic-based players - it doesn't look the most daunting Czech side ever. Two of the Sparta side that lost 3-1 to Parrott's AZ. Schick, Hranec and Coufal seem a solid spine though.

Our squad out later this week I presume?

**SkStu** · 17/03/2026, 4:24 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

15 domestic-based players - it doesn't look the most daunting Czech side ever. Two of the Sparta side that lost 3-1 to Parrott's AZ. Schick, Hranec and Coufal seem a solid spine though.

Our squad out later this week I presume?

Agreed that they look beatable on paper. Schick and Sulc both doubtful / coming back from injury too so...who knows?

As for our own squad announcement, i had the same question a few days ago! It would have to be the next day or two, you'd think.

**tetsujin1979** · 17/03/2026, 6:04 PM

Thursday at 11:30 according to the FAI's social media accounts
https://www.instagram.com/p/DV84WstjNiQ

**tetsujin1979** · 19/03/2026, 4:44 PM

Denmark and North Macedonia have also announced their squads for their play off
https://www.ffm.mk/sedloski-go-soops...plasman-na-sp/
https://www.dbu.dk/nyheder/2026/mart...on-er-udtaget/

squad details on the respective association's wikipedia page
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_...l_team#Players
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denmar...l_team#Players

**pineapple stu** · 19/03/2026, 4:53 PM

So here we go

Scales suspended for the opener. Coleman and Brady in the same squad is crying out for injury problems. I guess that's why Vale is in though - and Abankwah, who seems to have gone from rarely impressing at any level to suddenly being ok and a regular starter for Watford. No Doherty - interestingly, Wolves only reel him out for the big games it seems, so I guess those are the ones they're not worried about losing. His only league games since the last window were against Arsenal, Brentford, Liverpool, Man United, Chelsea and Liverpool.

Conor Coventry maybe unlucky not to be called up in the typically light midfield. Cullen injured and Smallbone not really getting game time. Big game to bring Lawal in for if it comes to it. Alan Browne back too, which is deserved I think.

No McGoldrick up front, though Kenny is there despite juts one goal in seven games since joining Bolton. Idah hasn't played in three months, Ogbene has played 20 minutes since the last window, and no Festy (who I don't rate anyway, so not worried about that)

Bottom line is as it was in November I think - with a top goalkeeper and an in-form striker, we'll always have a chance.

Goalkeepers: Caoimhín Kelleher (Brentford), Mark Travers (Everton), Josh Keeley (Luton Town).

Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Jimmy Dunne (QPR), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Dara O'Shea (Ipswich Town), Jake O'Brien (Everton), John Egan (Hull City), James Abankwah (Watford), Liam Scales (Celtic)*, Robbie Brady (Preston North End), Ryan Manning (Southampton).

Midfielders: Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Bosun Lawal (Stoke City), Jack Taylor (Ipswich Town), Alan Browne (Middlesbrough), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Finn Azaz (Southampton), Harvey Vale (QPR).

Attackers: Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar), Adam Idah (Swansea City), Johnny Kenny (Bolton Wanderers, on loan from Celtic), Chiedozie Ogbene (Sheffield United, on loan from Ipswich Town), Sammie Szmodics (Derby County, on loan from Ipswich Town)

**third policeman** · 19/03/2026, 5:00 PM

Sounds like Lawal is in HH’s thinking. Would be a brave selection but one I’d be pleased to see.

**tetsujin1979** · 19/03/2026, 5:01 PM

Festy is suspended for the first game anyway, and with Scales also suspended, we really didn't need another unavailable player in the squad.
Entirely possible he comes back after the first game

**Fixer82** · 19/03/2026, 5:12 PM

Originally Posted by third policeman

Sounds like Lawal is in HH’s thinking. Would be a brave selection but one I’d be pleased to see.

Not in such a big game

**SkStu** · 20/03/2026, 1:17 AM

Agreed. We won’t see Lawal in the first game anyway (possibly the friendly if we lose) but good to see him in as a listed midfielder. He’s coming off an injury too.. I think if/when he comes good, stays fit and watches his discipline he’ll become a major player for us and we’ll have a really exciting spine from back to front. With a now very decent supporting cast. This might not be the window we do it but there are good times ahead.

**elatedscum** · 20/03/2026, 6:32 AM

interesting squad. i'd have made a few changes.

Keepers picked themselves with Bazunu and O'Leary injured

Right back - I'd have had Doherty there instead of Dunne. Thought Doherty was excellent in the win against Liverpool for Wolves 2 weeks ago. Really good. So that's my first change. Coleman very important if fit.

Centre back - I'd have gone for Omobamidele over Abankwah. I like Abankwah but for me Omobamidele is a level above and is now playing regularly for a good team in a good league. I like John Egan and happy to have him there but in the context of tight squads, we're probably a winger short of what we want, so if i had to sacrifice someone to bring in another winger, he'd be the guy.

Left back - no issues. Brady is way ahead of every other alternative not called up. him and Manning as options is good.

Midfield - i think Knight, Molumby and Azaz are your starting midfielders. I always think McGrath is overlooked and he'd make it into my squad. For the last two places, for the more defensive midfielder, a toss up between Lawal and Coventry. Coventry is fit, playing and a more like for like replacement for Cullen. However, given his lack of international experience - you'd fear he might get a little bullied or bypassed till he gets up to speed. Lawal's physical attributes make that seem less likely - but obviously he's coming off an injury and there's possibly some rustiness. As for the last slot I'd be torn between either Browne or Taylor.

Wingers - no issue with calling up Ogbene, Szmodics and Vale given Johnston's injury. I'd still like either Sykes or McAteer as a fourth option (replacing Egan if needs be).

Strikers - Parrott is a given. I think I'd have called up McGoldrick. He's in form, he's experienced, intelligent and he offers something different. Idah if fit would be my third. and if Idah doesn't make it, I'd be between Armstrong and Kenny for the third slot.

**rebelmusic** · 20/03/2026, 10:08 AM

I was watching a lot of Stoke games before Lawal was injured and I really think he'll surprise some folks on here. He's a really mature player for his age and is probably the most versatile player we have. I agree he probably shouldn't start but he's an excellent option off the bench for every role across the back line and for DM as well

He had a decent run at LB before the injury and some borderline motm displays. I know I keep harping on about him but I think his inclusion was crucial

**Plib** · 20/03/2026, 12:49 PM

What type of profile are the wide forwards that play for AZ and is anyone in our squad similar. I know its very one dimensional thinking but with the form Parrott is in, surely plan A is to make things as easy for Parrott as possible.

With regards Lawal, I've only seen him play 3 or 4 times at most, but i'm surprised people are negative about his inclusion too. Looked mature, strong and confident the couple of times i've seen him. And I don't think we are in a position to snub someone of his versatility

**rebelmusic** · 20/03/2026, 9:31 PM

Brady and Lawal both on the bench tonight which is good to see

**rebelmusic** · 21/03/2026, 4:46 PM

Ogbene getting a 20 minute run out as right back today. Wilder's done us a massive favor as the rustiness was really evident in the first 5 minutes he was in. Couple of wayward passes that a better team would have punished them

He's gotten better as it's gone on, but yeah, could have been a disaster if those 5 minutes were with Ireland

**irishfan86** · 21/03/2026, 8:08 PM

Originally Posted by rebelmusic

Ogbene getting a 20 minute run out as right back today. Wilder's done us a massive favor as the rustiness was really evident in the first 5 minutes he was in. Couple of wayward passes that a better team would have punished them

He's gotten better as it's gone on, but yeah, could have been a disaster if those 5 minutes were with Ireland

What’s our view on how he should be used? Start him as a striker alongside Parrott? Energy man off the bench if needed in final 20, perhaps for Coleman if we’re chasing?

Curious how we line up.

If 5-3-2 I’d go with:

——————-———Kelleher—————-
Coleman—O’Shea—Collins—O’Brien—-Manning
———Molumby——-Lawal———
——————-Taylor———
———-Parrott———-Azaz————